What is a negative change arc?

In the last article, we covered the difference between story and plot and focused on the positive change arc. Today, we’re delving into the structure of a negative change arc.

And the first thing you need to know about the negative change arc is that not all characters grow:

Why? Because they refuse to learn the lesson they need to learn to get what they want.

Some characters even see it clearly, but they just simply refuse and walk away. The result:

A negative change arc, also known as a tragedy.

What Both Arcs Have in Common: The Midpoint

Let’s be clear about the midpoint: It’s where they really get the message about what they need.

In both the positive and negative change arcs, the lesson, what they need, appears at the midpoint.

That’s the beat where the character is offered the truth about themselves, the world, or what it will really take to get what they want.

 In a positive change arc, they start to apply that lesson in the second half of the story. It’s the second half of Act II, or the fourth sequence.

 In a negative arc, they either reject it, twist it, or ignore it altogether.

Why Write a Negative Arc?

If the positive arc teaches us how to get what we want in life by following a character’s journey, the negative arc warns us what not to do to get what we want. In other words, it’s a cautionary story telling us:

“Here’s what happens when you don’t grow.”

These stories show us what goes wrong when pride, illusion, or fear overrides humility. Because we all need to be humbled from time to time in order to grow. So these stories are just as powerful, and sometimes even more, than a happy ending.

Two Types of Tragedy

Both versions of the negative arc hinge on that midpoint lesson: the truth that the character is offered.

Here are the two most common structures:

1. Rejection

The character sees the truth, understands what he or she has to do at the midpoint, but just plain refuses.

Maybe it feels too hard. Too risky. Maybe they’d rather cling to their illusions.

Once they get thrown into the second half of the story, their old ways are even stronger now than before. And once the climax hits, they’re doomed.

2. Some people never learn:

The reader understands what they have to do, but the character just puts on his blinders.

They’re so caught up in their goal, fear, or fantasy that they never stop to ask if maybe they’re wrong and need to change, and fast.

By the end of the story, they fail, not because they were unwilling (or maybe unable) to see it.

Let’s Break It Down with The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic is a masterpiece in the negative arc.

Here’s how it fits into our structure:

CHARACTER: Jay Gatsby…rich, mysterious, hopelessly romantic. Lives in a mansion across the bay from the woman he’s obsessed with: Daisy Buchanan.

WANT: To win Daisy back and recreate the perfect love they once had.

Gatsby throws lavish parties, hoping she’ll appear. His life is built on getting her back.

NEED: To accept the reality of the past and realize that Daisy isn’t the flawless dream he’s imagined.

He needs to see that time can’t be repeated, and that real love requires honesty, not fantasy.

MIDPOINT (THE LESSON MOMENT):  Gatsby does get Daisy back. She comes to one of his parties. They reconnect.

At this point of potential clarity, he can make a new decision. He can build a real relationship. However, he refuses to let go of that perfect Platonic form, his perfect past. He refuses to let go of his fantasy of that perfect proverbial American dream that doesn’t exist.

The lesson is there: “You can’t repeat the past,” Nick tells him at the midpoint.

His response? “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”

He “learns” the truth from Nick, his only true friend, and rejects it.

OBSTACLES (PLOT): Daisy isn’t who he thinks she is. Tom calls him out, confronts him where he needs to confront the truth. The world around Gatsby starts crumbling. But he clings to his dream harder than ever.

CLIMAX & STAKES: Because Gatsby never lets go of the fantasy, he takes the fall for Daisy’s crime, believing it will earn her loyalty.

She disappears. He dies alone.

Your Turn: Fill in the Negative Arc

Here’s your structure prompt to guide your own tragedy. Just remember this: The lesson should be around the midpoint. The rest of the story depends on what the character does with it.

MY STORYLINE – NEGATIVE ARC

CHARACTER:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WANT:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEED: (This truth must be revealed at the midpoint in some way – usually from a friend):_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MIDPOINT: (The character sees the truth but rejects or ignores it.)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OBSTACLES (Plotting):_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CLIMAX & STAKES:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT HAPPENS: (A tragedy):______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Final Thought

A negative arc is not really about failure; it’s about missed opportunity.

• The midpoint matters. It’s the turning point in every change arc.
• What your character does with the information he needs to learn at that moment determines everything.

• If they embrace the truth, they grow.
• If they reject it, they fall.

In our next article, we’ll explore the flat arc.

Until then, ask yourself:

What lesson does your character face at the midpoint?

And do they have the strength to follow it?

Happy writing!

~ M.C. Convery